Mo Williams : biography

December 19, 1982 -

Maurice "Mo" Williams (born December 19, 1982, in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association. After a successful high school career at Murrah High School, Williams attended college at the University of Alabama where he led his team as a freshman to a 27-8 record, and also shared an SEC regular season championship. After two solid seasons at Alabama, Williams entered the 2003 NBA Draft, and was selected as the 47th pick by the Utah Jazz. The following year he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent. Williams was given the starting point guard position after Milwaukee traded their former starting point guard, T.J. Ford to the Toronto Raptors. This movement opened up a chance for Williams to make a name for himself not only on the Milwaukee Bucks, but in the NBA as well. Williams averaged over 30 minutes a game, as well as other career achievements.

On August 13, 2008, Williams was a part of a three-team, six-player deal involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Williams was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and was immediately named their starting point guard. He began scoring big numbers alongside LeBron James. Williams played in his first All-Star Game in 2009 as a replacement for Toronto's injured Chris Bosh.

Career highs

Points: 44 vs. Phoenix 02/11/09

Rebounds: 11 vs. Miami 12/20/06

Assists: 15 @ Chicago 12/28/07

Steals: 6 @ Charlotte 01/06/08

Blocks: 4 vs. Atlanta 04/02/10

College

Maurice Williams attended college at the University of Alabama under Mark Gottfried. In 2002 as a freshman, he started every game at point guard. Williams averaged 10.4 points and 4.5 assists per game. His play helped lead the Tide to a 27-8 record, including an astonishing 17-0 home record, along with a share of the SEC regular season championship. Williams and the Tide entered the NCAA tournament as a 2 seed, where they lost to Kent State 71-58 in the 2nd round. Williams led the team in scoring and assists, averaging 16.4 points and 3.8 assists per game for the 2003 season, which ended in a first round loss in the NCAA tournament to Indiana.

After two seasons, Williams decided to forego his final two years at Alabama, and enter the 2003 NBA Draft, which also included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and others.